Beverage container and method

ABSTRACT

A beverage container has a base releasably attached to a vessel. A reciprocating nipple is mounted on the base. A flexible conduit mounted at the base is connected to the nipple. The flexible conduit can communicate between the vessel and the nipple. A user can draw liquid from the vessel through the flexible conduit and nipple. An actuating element is mounted on the base and is coupled to the nipple. The actuating element is manually operable to reciprocate the nipple between an extended and a retracted position. Portions of the flexible conduit are adapted to collapse, occlude, and prevent communication of liquid to the nipple in response to motion of the nipple into the retracted position.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1 Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to beverage containers that can be operated to control liquid flow, and in particular, to apparatus and methods for collapsing and occluding a flexible conduit.

2. Description of Related Art

Hydration is important to maintain health and stamina, and for this reason, people wish to have ready access to containers of potable liquids. Containers filled with potable water or other beverages are therefor carried or kept nearby during everyday activities or during periods of exercise.

These portable containers ought to be capable of easily dispensing liquid when desired, but also easily closed to prevent spills or leakage of the liquid during transport. Careful design is required to achieve both easy dispensing and easy closing, in light of the fact that the liquid may be vigorously jostled and agitated during periods of exercise.

Known portable containers have included a spout or nipple that can be opened to sip liquid, and then closed when done. Such a container can be carried in a pouch depending from a waist belt. In other cases, the container itself may have a handle that can be attached to a waist belt or other personal item during transport.

Containers have used screw-on lids to releasably contain a liquid. Also, straws have been used to remove liquid from a container by sucking on the straw.

Liquids or pastes have been stored in pliable containers that have a dispensing spout. The contents of such pliable containers can be dispensed through the spout by inverting and manually squeezing the container.

See also U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,150,815; 5,282,541; 5,484,080; 5,513,762; 6,431,382; 7,093,735; and 7,513,388; as well as US Patent Application Pub. Nos. 2006/0180585; and 2015/0173539.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In accordance with the illustrative embodiments demonstrating features and advantages of the present invention, there is provided a beverage container including a vessel and a base releasably attached to the vessel. The container also includes a nipple mounted to reciprocate on the base. Also included is a flexible conduit mounted at the base and connected to the nipple. The flexible conduit is selectively operable to communicate between the vessel and the nipple. The container also includes an actuating element mounted on the base and coupled to the nipple. The actuating element is manually operable to bidirectionally urge the nipple to reciprocate between an extended and a retracted position. Portions of the flexible conduit are adapted to collapse, occlude, and prevent communication to the nipple in response to motion of the nipple into the retracted position.

In accordance with another aspect of the invention a method is provided. The method employs a flexible conduit connected between a nipple and a vessel. The method also includes the step of collapsing and occluding the flexible conduit to prevent passage of liquid to the nipple. The method includes the step of urging the nipple outwardly to cause the flexible conduit to straighten. Another step is drawing liquid from the vessel through the flexible conduit and nipple.

In accordance with yet another aspect of the invention, there is provided a beverage container including a vessel, and a base releasably attached to the vessel. The base has a receptacle with a pair of slots. The container also has a nipple with a central bore. The nipple has a pair of transverse stubs slidably mounted to reciprocate in the pair of slots of the receptacle of the base. Also included is a flexible conduit mounted at the base and connected to the nipple. The flexible conduit is selectively operable to communicate between the vessel and the nipple. The flexible conduit includes an upstream tube, a downstream tube, and a pair of flanges between the upstream and the downstream tubes. The pair of flanges straddles the base. The nipple has a upstream opening adapted to receive the downstream tube of the flexible conduit. The container includes a cover rotatably mounted on the base. The cover is adapted to snap onto the base. The cover has an internally threaded sleeve with multiple starts for engaging and reciprocating the pair of stubs of the nipple. The cover is manually operable to reciprocate the nipple between an extended and a retracted position. Portions of the downstream tube between the nipple and the pair of flanges are adapted to collapse, occlude, and prevent communication to the nipple in response to motion of the nipple into the retracted position. The cover has a flexible diaphragm that is slitted to allow emergence of the nipple upon its movement from the retracted position to the extended position. The cover and the base each have a stop to limit rotation of the cover. The container also includes an eductor tube positioned inside the vessel and connected to the upstream tube of the flexible conduit.

By employing apparatus and methods of the foregoing type, an improved beverage container is achieved. In a disclosed embodiment the top of a vessel is fitted with a two-part structure, specifically, an upper cover and a lower base. This upper cover is mounted to rotate on the base.

The cover has an internally threaded sleeve that extends into the base. The sleeve will rotate inside the base as the cover is rotated by hand. In this embodiment, a nipple slidably mounted in a receptacle within the base, can be axially reciprocated by riding on the threads in the cover's sleeve.

Clockwise rotation of the disclosed cover and sleeve causes the sleeve's threads to engage transverse studs on the nipple, and lift the nipple up and through slits in a diaphragm located at the top of the cover. Counterclockwise rotation of the cover causes the nipple to retract to a storage position down below the diaphragm.

In this embodiment, a flexible tube mounted in the floor of the base extends upwardly and connects from below to a central bore in the nipple. When the nipple retracts, the tube folds and is thus pinched off to restrict flow through the tube. Accordingly, rotating the upper cover and reciprocating the nipple causes the tube to be opened and closed. Essentially, liquid will flow into the nipple when it is extended, but not when retracted. This flexible tube in the base also connects to a longer eductor tube that reaches down into the vessel located below the base.

This disclosed container can be used by rotating the cover clockwise to extend the nipple and unfold the flexible tube connected to the nipple. By squeezing the flexible vessel, or by applying mouth suction, liquid can be drawn through the eductor tube, the unfolded flexible tube, and the nipple. When liquid is no longer desired, the cover can be rotated counterclockwise to retract the nipple, fold the flexible tube, and prevent further liquid from reaching the nipple.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The above brief description as well as other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will be more fully appreciated by reference to the following detailed description of illustrative embodiments in accordance with the present invention when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a beverage container in accordance with principles of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is an exploded view of the upper portion of the container of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a top plan view of the base of FIG. 2, isolated from the rest of the container;

FIG. 4 is a plan view of the underside of the cover of FIG. 2; and

FIG. 5 is an axial sectional view of an upper portion of the container of FIG. 1 showing in full lines a retracted nipple, and in phantom an extended nipple.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring to FIGS. 1-5, the illustrated beverage container has a cover 10 (also referred to as an actuating element) rotatably attached to base 20 Base 20 is, in turn, screwed onto neck 30A of vessel 30 (FIG. 5). Base 20 has an outwardly projecting, carrying loop 26 (FIG. 1).

Base 20 has a bowl-shaped floor 20A (FIG. 5) that connects through annular ledge 20B to the inside of outer circular wall 20C. Annular ridge 20D is located on the inside of circular wall 20C above ledge 20B. Three equiangularly spaced shelves 20E are also located on the inside above annular ridge 20D (FIGS. 3 and 5).

Projecting upward coaxially from the center of floor 20A is integral receptacle 22, which has a lower cylindrical wall 22A interrupted by breach 28. Lower wall 22A supports three upwardly extending, cylindrically curved walls 22B, 22C, and 22D. Wall 22B is separated by slots 24A and 24B from walls 22C and 22D, respectively. Breach 28 is located between walls 22C and 22D, which walls both have outer reinforcing ribs 22C-1 and 22D-1 (see FIGS. 2 and 3). Ledge 20B has a stop 29 in the form of an L-shaped plate that is roughly aligned with breach 28 but is angulary offset slightly toward wall 22C.

In this embodiment external wall 200 has an overall outside diameter of 7 cm and a height of 3 cm, although different dimensions may be employed in other embodiments depending on the desired size, strength, etc.

Tubular nipple 40 has a transverse pair of diametrically extending stubs 42 that slide in slots 24A and 24B (FIG. 2). In this embodiment, nipple 40 has an overall length of 3.8 cm, an overall diameter of 1.8 cm, and an inside diameter of 5 mm, although other dimensions may be employed depending upon the desired capacity, flow rate, the size of the user, etc.

In FIG. 2, flexible conduit 50 is shown with downstream tube 50A and upstream tube 50B. A spaced pair of flanges 52A and 52B are located between tubes 50A and 50B. In FIG. 5 conduit 50 is shown mounted through a central hole (hole 20D of FIG. 3) in floor 20A. In FIG. 5, floor 20A is embraced by flanges 52A and 52B on the inside and outside, respectively. Eductor tube 60 is inserted into upstream tube 50B.

The distal end of downstream tube 50A is inserted into the upstream end of central bore 44 of nipple 40. The downstream portion of central bore 44 is narrower and has an inside diameter matching that of eductor tube 60. In FIG. 5 portions 54 of downstream tube 50A between nipple 40 and flange 52A are shown folded for purposes to be described presently.

Cover 10 has an outer sidewall 10A with four recesses 10B used for gripping the sidewall. A skirt 10E depends from sidewall 10A, and the skirt is overhung by the sidewall. Stop 18 (FIG. 4) is located on the inside of skirt 10E and cooperates with the previously mentioned stop (stop 29 of FIGS. 2 and 3) in a manner to be described presently.

The top 10C of cover 10 has a plateau 10D with a central hole containing an optional, slitted diaphragm 12. Diaphragm 12 has cruciform slits 12A forming four cantilevered, pie-shaped leaves 12B. The periphery of diaphragm 12 has an axially spaced pair of flanges 12C and 12D (FIG. 5) that embrace annular ridge 10F at the central opening of cover 10.

Coaxial sleeve 14 depends from the underside of plateau 10D and is reinforced with four external ribs 14A (FIGS. 4 and 5). Sleeve 14 has right-handed, internal threads 16 arranged with four starts 16A. Each of the nipple stubs 42 can enter threads 16 between an adjacent pair of the starts 16A to be guided there, from above and below.

With conduit 50 mounted in floor 20A and connected to the upstream end of nipple bore 44 as shown in FIG. 5, cover 10 can be installed by applying downward pressure, so that the base's three ridges 20E snap into the cover's annular groove 10F located on the inside of skirt 10E. As shown in FIG. 5, further ingress is prevented in that the bottom of skirt 10E encounters annular ridge 20D on base 20. During this process nipple stubs 42 descend in slots 24A and 24B, as tube section 54 collapses as shown in FIG. 5. This places nipple 40 in the illustrated retracted position, below diaphragm 12.

When thus snapped into place, cover 10 can rotate on base 20. When snapping cover 10 in place, its stop 18 should be slightly spaced from the base's stop 29, with a clockwise offset. This orientation will then allow the cover's stop 18 to rotate clockwise away from the base's stop 29 without interference. This initial offset orientation also places the nipple's stubs 42 between adjacent starts 16A so that the stubs will be drawn into threads 16 when cover 10 is rotated clockwise.

In this embodiment nipple 40 will axially reciprocate approximately 2 cm, although different amplitudes may be employed in other embodiments. Also in this embodiment, the threads in each of the starts 16A will consist of approximately one turn extending over an axial length of approximately 3 cm, although again, a different pitch may be used in other embodiments depending upon the desired travel length, mechanical advantage, number of turns, etc.

To facilitate an understanding of the principles associated with the foregoing apparatus, its operation will be briefly described. The container may be used by first unscrewing base 20 from neck 30A of vessel 30 (i.e., unscrewing base threads 20F and vessel threads 30B). Vessel 30 can then be filled with water, an energy drink, or other beverage. Thereafter, base 20 can be screwed back onto vessel neck 30A until annular seal 20G presses against the rim of neck 30A.

In this configuration as shown in FIG. 5, liquid in vessel 30 cannot flow though eductor tube 60 and conduit 50 because folded section 54 of the downstream tube 50A is collapsed and therefore occluded. Consequently, liquid inside vessel 30 will not leak even if the user is exercising and vigorously agitating the liquid. During these times, the user may temporarily attach the container to a belt or other personal accessory using loop 26.

To dispense liquid inside vessel 30, the user will rotate cover 10 clockwise approximately 300°, causing threads 16 to likewise rotate. As a result, nipple stubs 42 will be screwed through the threads 16 to lift nipple 40. As it rises, nipple 40 will deflect and pass by leaves 12B to reach the extended position, shown in FIG. 1 (or in phantom in FIG. 5). In doing so, section 54 of downstream tube 50A will extend and unfold, and will no longer be occluded.

With nipple 40 extended, the user may apply mouth suction to nipple 40 or may squeeze vessel 30. Consequently, liquid will flow through eductor tube 60, conduit 50, and nipple bore 44.

When done consuming the liquid, the user may rotate cover 10 counterclockwise so that threads 16 depress stubs 42 on nipple 40. Eventually, nipple 40 returns to the retracted position and the leaves 12B of diaphragm 12 close to shelter and protect nipple 40 from outside debris. Again, section 54 of downstream tube 50A will be collapsed and occluded to prevent undesired discharge of liquid from nipple 40.

It is appreciated that various modifications may be implemented with respect to the above described embodiments. While the flexible conduit is shown collapsing into a double fold, in some cases the conduit will collapse into a single fold or more than two folds. In some embodiments the nipple can be keyed to rotate with the cover and the nipple will ride in threads in the base, which threads axially reciprocate the nipple relative to the cover. In such a case, the flexible conduit could be twisted closed by the turning of the nipple. In other cases the rotating cover can be eliminated and an independent, threaded sleeve that is rotatably mounted in the base can be rotated by a lever arm that extends through an arcuate slot in the side of the base. In some cases the nipple and flexible conduit can be manufactured as a single integral unit.

Obviously, many modifications and variations of the present invention are possible in light of the above teachings. It is therefore to be understood that within the scope of the appended claims, the invention may be practiced otherwise than as specifically described. 

1. A beverage container comprising: a vessel; a base releasably attached to the vessel; a nipple mounted to reciprocate on the base; a flexible conduit mounted at the base and connected to the nipple, the flexible conduit being selectively operable to communicate between the vessel and the nipple; and an actuating element mounted on the base and coupled to the nipple, the actuating element being manually operable to bidirectionally urge the nipple to reciprocate between an extended and a retracted position, portions of the flexible conduit being adapted to collapse, occlude, and prevent communication to the nipple in response to motion of the nipple into the retracted position.
 2. A beverage container according to claim 1 wherein the nipple has a central bore, the base having a receptacle for receiving the nipple.
 3. A beverage container according to claim 2 wherein the nipple has at least one transverse stub, the receptacle having at least one slot for slidably receiving the at least one stub.
 4. A beverage container according to claim 1 wherein the actuating element comprises a cover rotatably mounted on the base.
 5. A beverage container according to claim 4 wherein the nipple has at least one transverse stub, the cover including an internally threaded sleeve for engaging and reciprocating the at least one stub of the nipple.
 6. A beverage container according to claim 5 wherein the base has a receptacle with at least one slot for slidably receiving the at least one stub.
 7. A beverage container according to claim 6 wherein the at least one stub comprises a pair of stubs, the at least one slot comprising a pair of slots for slidably receiving the pair of stubs, the internally threaded sleeve having multiple starts.
 8. A beverage container according to claim 4 wherein the cover has a flexible diaphragm that is slitted to allow emergence of the nipple upon movement from the retracted position to the extended position.
 9. A beverage container according to claim 8 wherein the nipple has at least one transverse stub, the base having a receptacle with at least one slot for slidably receiving the at least one stub, the cover including an internally threaded sleeve for engaging and reciprocating the at least one stub of the nipple.
 10. A beverage container according to claim 9 wherein the base has a stop for limiting rotation of the cover, the internally threaded sleeve having multiple starts.
 11. A beverage container according to claim 10 wherein the at least one stub comprises a pair of stubs, the at least one slot comprising a pair of slots for slidably receiving the pair of stubs, the internally threaded sleeve having four starts.
 12. A beverage container according to claim 11 wherein the base and the cover each have a stop for limiting rotation of the cover.
 13. A beverage container according to claim 12 wherein the cover is adapted to snap onto the base.
 14. A beverage container according to claim 13 wherein the base has an external carrying loop.
 15. A beverage container according to claim 1 wherein the flexible conduit comprises an upstream tube and a downstream tube, the nipple having a upstream opening adapted to receive the downstream tube of the flexible conduit, the flexible conduit having at least one flange between the upstream and the downstream tube, portions of the downstream tube between the at least one flange and the nipple being adapted to collapse and occlude in response to motion of the nipple into the retracted position.
 16. A beverage container according to claim 15 comprising: an eductor tube positioned inside the vessel and connected to the upstream tube of the flexible conduit.
 17. A method employing a flexible conduit connected between a nipple and a vessel, comprising the steps of: collapsing and occluding the flexible conduit to prevent passage of liquid to the nipple; urging the nipple outwardly to cause the flexible conduit to straighten; and drawing liquid from the vessel through the flexible conduit and nipple
 18. A method according to claim 17 employing an internally threaded sleeve at the nipple, the method including the step of: screwing the nipple through the sleeve to selectively compress and occlude the flexible tube.
 19. A method according to claim 18 wherein the sleeve has a slitted diaphragm, the method including the step of: screwing the nipple through the sleeve to selectively extend the nipple to emerge through the slitted diaphragm.
 20. A beverage container comprising: a vessel; a base releasably attached to the vessel, the base having a receptacle with a pair of slots; a nipple with a central bore, the nipple having a pair of transverse stubs slidably mounted to reciprocate in the pair of slots of the receptacle of the base; a flexible conduit mounted at the base and connected to the nipple, the flexible conduit being selectively operable to communicate between the vessel and the nipple, the flexible conduit including an upstream tube, a downstream tube, and a pair of flanges between the upstream and the downstream tubes, the pair of flanges straddling the base, the nipple having a upstream opening adapted to receive the downstream tube of the flexible conduit; a cover rotatably mounted on the base, the cover being adapted to snap onto the base, the cover having an internally threaded sleeve with multiple starts for engaging and reciprocating the pair of stubs of the nipple, the cover being manually operable to reciprocate the nipple between an extended and a retracted position, portions of the downstream tube between the nipple and the pair of flanges being adapted to collapse, occlude, and prevent communication to the nipple in response to motion of the nipple into the retracted position, the cover having a flexible diaphragm that is slitted to allow emergence of the nipple upon its movement from the retracted position to the extended position, the cover and the base each having a stop to limit rotation of the cover; and an eductor tube positioned inside the vessel and connected to the upstream tube of the flexible conduit. 